Switch



R. B. BENJAMIN SWITCH Filed Nov. 1, 1923 fl) a INVENTOR W 2M a7 Q m KWPATEN 1,564,818 T. OFFICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO BENJAMIN ELECTRICIANUII'ACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COIBAEOBA'IJION OIILLINOIS.

SWITCH.

Application filed November 1, 1823. Serial No. 612,060,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BEN- JAMIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, re sidin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois,have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, concise, and exact descriptionI referencebeinghad to the accompany ng a art of this specification.

' 's invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to aswitch for controlling vehicle signalling circuits.

An object of the present invention is to rovide a compact, simple andinexpensive orm of switch, which can be particularly adapted for theabove mentioned purpose and be mounted preferably upon the spark(orgasoline) lever of-a motor vewing, forming c e. Another object is toprovide astructure that may be cheaply manufactured, of few parts andcapable of being quickly assembled. I preferabl design this structure sothat it is simp e and compact, of a rmanent character and not easilydestroyed y rough usage.

Briefly, he invention resides in a combination comprising a tiltableswitch operating member for controlling the circuit contacts, one ofwhich is mounted on the switch operating member, and known as themovable contact, for engagement with a second contact, which ispreferably grounded through a socket member serving as the switchmounting. The circuit contacts are included in a sub-assembly removablefrom the socket as a unit, so that this sub-assembly may be of aself-containing character. The socket is grounded on one side of thecircuit, while the other side is brought through the socket by means ofa spring contact inelectrical connection with the movable contact. Thisconnection is in the form of-an insulated post to which the switchoperating member and movable 'contact are connected.

I In order to apprise those skilled the art how to construct andpractice my invention, I shall now describe alternate embodimentsthereof, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof.

- In the drawings- Figure 1 is a'vertical axial section, taken andbreaking the signallin .circuit.

socket 1.

3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is an embodiment of a modified form of my invention, being partlyin elevation and partly in section to illustrate a modified form ofretaining the selfcontained switch within the outer end of a vehiclespark lever control.

A vehicle signalling switch my invention comprises essentially agrounded metallic socket, a sub-assembly adapted to be inserted thereinand furnishing a stationary contact, and a tiltable push button carriedby this sub-assembly having a cooperating movable contact for making Inthe present instance, the soc et is formed at the outer end of a sparklever control of a motor vehicle. This outer end is enlarged andprovided with a diametrical split at one side, so that the enlargementmay constitute a clamp to securely retain at its lower end a horn leadforming part of the signailing circuit. The clamp also functions tosecurely retain the aforesaid subassembly at its upper end. Itwill benoted at the outset that the switch button is tiltembodying able, in anydirection, so that contact of the switch terminals is assured wheneverthe buttoii is operated inany; direction.

As before mentioned, socket 1 is an enlargement at, the end of lever 2,which is axially cored for a limited distance at its upper end.. In theembodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, socket 1 is provided with adiametric split, designated 3, and with ears 4 for recelving a clampingbolt 5 whereby sheath 6 of horn lead 7 is securely clamped in position.This clampingarrangement will also securely hold sub assembly 8-inposition at the upper end of Sheath 6 terminates flush with the base orfloor of socket 1, while lead 7 continues upwardly a short distance topass througha central aperture 9 in an insulation collar 10. Collar 10is normally assembled at the base of socket 1 and lead 7 is flaredoutwardl to engage the upser face of this collar. 'Ihus the end of lea.7 may be held within socket 1, and, by spreading it, a contact 11 may befurnished for engagement with a cooperatin spring contact 12. Contact 12is carrie by the subassembly 8.

This sub-assembl is of a self-containing character in that e partsthereof may be. assembled before being inserted in socket 1.Sub-assembly 8 comprises a metallic sleeve contact member 14 of anexternal diameter a proximately equal to the internal diameter 0? socket1, so that it may be tightly seated in the socket.

An insulating base comprising the collars 15 is mounted upon themetallic sleeve 14,

having a head 30 formed thereon and lying in a groove in the uppercollar to'prevent relative rotation. Collars 15, together with sleeve14, are provided with a central aperture through which a screw 16 isadapted to pass. At the lower end, screw 16 holds spring contact 12 inplace, which spring contact is provided with an upstanding projection 17passing through said insulating base, thereby preventing relativerotation with respect to the same. A metallic st 18 isinternally'threaded for the receptlon of the upper end of screw 16. Acoil spring 19 surroimds the post 18, being confined between a collar 20adjacent to the insulating base and a movable contact 21, fixed to thetiltable push button 22 surmounting the entire switch structure. Coilspring 19, being of the expansion type, tends to maintain the circuit inopen condition by normally holding movable contact 21 out of engagementwith a stationary contact 23.

Stationary contact 23 is formed by the upper end of the metallic sleeve14 terminatlng in an annular flange. Annular flange or contact 23 firmlyengages the upper edge of socket'l, so that a good contact is madetherebetween. Socket 1 is grounded on one of the sides of the signallingcircuit, and therefore, contact 23 should preferably be insulated fromthe rest of the sub-assembly, this being accomplished as beforeexplained, by the insulating base comprising collars 15. Tiltable pushbutton 22 is preferably molded of insulation material. In the moldingprocess, rivets 24 are anchored'on the under side of I push button 22.These rivets 24 are adapted to hold movable contact 21 securely inposition. A central aperture 25 is furnished in movable contact 21. Post18 is adapted to pass through this aperture 25 and be held from downwarddisplacement by an annular flange 26. When push button 22 is operated,it will be pushed against the tension of coil spring 19 until movablecontact 21 engages the stationary contact 23 whereupon the circuit iscompleted. One of theadvantages accruing from the arrangement shownherein is that the push button 22 need not be centrally engaged 1n orderto close the circuit. Good prevent relative rotation between the pushbutton 22 and the insulating fibre washers 25, or rather between thepost 18 and these washers, the post is provided with outflaring ears 28which lie within adiametric groove 29 in the upper washer 15.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, I preferably do not split the socket1 to form a clamp in order to hold the sub-assembly in the socket.Instead, a tap is provided in one side of socket 1 for the reception ofa set screw 31, which is adapted to engage the metallic sleeve contactmember 14 for the purpose of holding it in place. However, either formof socket may be conveniently used with equal advantage.

The above described embodiments serve to illustrate the method ofmounting a push button at the tip of a spark lever for controlling asignalling circuit of a vehicle, which at the present time usuallyincludes a horn, claxon, or the like, for emitting the signal. Bothembodiments also illustrate how the self-containing character of theswitch permits its use at a point of convenience to the operator, whichpoint does not afford much space for the switch, thereby necessitatinga. compact and simple arrangement of the switch parts. And again, thisself-containing feature of the switch assembly rendersthe constructionpractical and inexpensive to manufacture,

and obtains many advantages from a comine'cial standpoint which are nototherwise Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fullyexplain the gist of my invention, that others may, by applying currentknowledge, readily adopt the same for use under varying conditions ofservice, without eliminating certain features which may properly be saidto constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items areintended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim 1. In a switch, a socket having a contact at the base thereof, asub-assembly designed to be removably inserted in said socket, a

connecting mem rs, a post for supporting said push button, and a contactat itsinner end for eng 'ement with said contact at the base of saidsocket.

2. In a switch, a grounded metallic socket having an insulated contactat the base thereof, a sub-assembly contained in a metallic sleevecontact member designed to be rem'ovably inserted into said metallicsocket,

a cap shaped tiltable ush button sur'mount ing said assembly, an acontactat the inner end of said assembly for engagement with saidcontact at the base of said socket.

3. A switch. construction comprising a 'socket, an electrical terminalin said socket,

and a self-contained sub-assembly comprising" a fixed contact member, amanually operable'button tiltable in any direction and carrying amovable contact engageablev with said fixed contact, and a springcontact electrically connected with said movable contact and insertable'into said socket for engaging said electrical terminal.

4. A switch construction comprising a socket, an electrical terminal insaid socket,

and a self-contained sub-assembly com rising an insulating base, a postmounte on said base, a fixed contact carried by said base, a manuallyoperable button tiltable in any direction on said post, and carrying amovable contact engageable with said fixed contact, and a spring contactelectrically connected with said movable contact and engageable withsaid electrical terminal,

said lnsulating base, post and spring contact being insertable in saidsocket.

5.'A switch construction comprising a socket, an electrical terminal insaid socket, P and a self-contained sub-assembly com prising a sleeveinsertable into said socket, an insulating base mounted on said sleeve,a post mounted on said insulating base, a fixed contact, a'rmanuallyoperable button mounted on said post and tiltable in any direction andcarrying a movable contact engageable with said fixed contact, and aspring contact electrically connected with said movable contactandmountedon said insulating base, and engaging said electricalterminal. Y

6. A. switch. construction com risin a socket, an electrical terminal insaid soc et, and a self-contained sub-'assembl comprising a sleeveinsertable into. sai socket, and having'an inwardly extending flange atits inner end, an insulating base mounted on said sleeve, comprisin apair of buttons clamped on op osite si es of. said flange, a'post mounteon said insulating base, a fixed contact, a manually operable buttontiltable in any direction, and carrying a movable contact for engagementwith said fixed contact, and a spring contact mounted on said base endengageable with said electri'cal' terminal.

7. A switch construction comprising a socket, an electrical'terminal insaid socket, and a self-contained sub-assembly comprising an insulatingbase, a spring contact fixe contact, and means for securing said postand spring contact on sald insulatmg base, and electrically connectingsaid post and sprim contacts comprising a screw ex-- tending throughsaid spring contact and threaded into said post.

8. A switch construction comprisin a socket, an insulating baseinsertable into said socket, a post mounted on said insulating base, abutton swiveled and tiltable on said post, a contact mounted on saidbutton, a screw extending through said base and threaded into said postfor holding it on said base, and means for preventing relative rotationbetween said post and base, whereby said post' may be held from turningin assembly as the screw is threaded into the post. 9. A switchconstruction comprising a socket, an insulating base insertable mto saidsocket, a post mounted on said insulating base, a button swiveled andtiltable on said post, a contact mounted on said button, a' screwextending throu h said base and threaded into said post or holding it onsaid base, said post having 'ear extending laterally therefrom and engaing said base whereby said post may be hel from turning in assembly asthe screw is threadedinto the 0st.

10. A switch construction comprisin socket, an electrical terminal insaid and a self-contained sub-assembly comprising a metallic sleeveinsertable into said socket, an insulating base including a pair ofcollars for clamping the lower portion of said sleeve, a post carried bsaid msulating base, a button swiveled an tiltable on said post, acontact on said button adapted for en agement with said sleeve to closethe circult, a contact also on said post for engaging said electricalterminal in said socket, said.

grounded socket, an insulated terminal member at the base of saidsocket, a sub-assembly including a post in electrical connection withsaid terminal. member, a button swiveled and tiltable on said post, acontact a socket,

11. A switch construction comprising a carried by said button, saidcontact adapted to engage upon operation of said button, a contactmember forming part of said subassembly, said contact member being inelec-' trical connection with said grounded socket.

12. A switch for controlling a vehicle signalling circuit or the likecomprising a lever control shaped to form a socket, said socket beinggrounded to serve as ones'ide of the circuit, an insulated electricalterminal carried by said socket and connected to the other side of thecircuit, a sub-assembly in electrical connection with said terminalremovably inserted in said socket, an operating member having a movablecontact carried by said sub-assembly, a cup shaped member forming partof said subassembly insulated from said movable contact, said cup shapedmember being in confor engagement with said movable contact for closingsaid circuit.

13. A switch for controlling a vehicle signalling circuit or the likecom rising a lever control in the shape of a soci: her at one endadapted to receive a sub-assembly having stationary and movable contactsthereon, said sub-assembly comprising means for carrying an operatingmember insulated from said stationary contact, said means being inelectrical connection with said movable contact and in one side of saidcircuit, said stationary contact being grounded in the otherside of saidcircuit through said socket member.

. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

et mem-

